If you think
spending hours playing a computer game is nerdy, try going to a convention like
PAX East 2012. And if you think that's nerdy, try showing up dressed as
one of the video game characters you play. I couldn't think of a better way to
spend the weekend. A variety
of virtual warriors came to life and competed for the top prize in the League of Legends booth's cosplay contest, including Caitlin, Ezreal, Jax, Malzahar and
Singed.

This Spiderman has an important message for cosplayers: stay hydrated!

I've considered going to the New York or San Diego iterations of Comic Con -- you know, the really big Comic Cons -- but, based on how well Boston's Comic Con is doing, I don't think I need to buy a plane ticket for a great experience, especially if Boston's con continues to grow.

The Video Game Orchestra performs a Final Fantasy medley, and composer Nobuo Uematsu makes a surprise appearance

Anime Boston, the largest Anime convention in the Northeast, took over the Hynes Convention Center this past weekend. The size overwhelms me every year -- but not this year, since I attended PAX East and AB back-to-back.

As I write this, I am waiting for the Video Game Orchestra to begin their set at Saturday night's concert – yes, this blog is as live as it gets, since I'm sitting on the theatre floor with my laptop out. The in-between set playlist included DJ Party Ben's “Galvanize the Empire,” a mash-up that any Star Wars fan would almost certainly enjoy, so props to the sound guys for seeing to it that the wait is no chore.

Having never been to Boston's Comic Con before, I can't speak to what you should expect -- though their website should do the job for me. Compared to New York Comic Con's holy-shit-hugeness, Boston has a long way to go, but surely there are enough comic book fans in Beantown to beef up attendance and help the home team. Given the remarkably low price of $10 per day, even geeks strapped for cash have no excuse to not make an appearance at the Back Bay Events Center this weekend.